Press releases are one of the keys in increasing your company’s visibility in the marketplace. They can be used for many different things, and not just locally. The benefits of using press releases is tremendous when done right.

Public relations include all that is the media. Don’t limit yourself. The attention of newspapers, television, radio, magazines, bloggers, ezines and more are all equally powerful. Online marketing is just as, if not more, important as conventional media.

Here are the steps to get noticed by the media:

Put together a press release for your company. The press release should be relevant to your target market and address consumer interest, not just announce your business.

Compact your press release to include one hook and one angle. Choose the most attention-getting to make sure the media person you are sending it to is interested in reading it.

Put your press release in professional formatting. With press releases you need a dateline, the most important information at the top, facts, figures and wrap it up with contact details including who and how. Print the press release on your letterhead.

Send your press release to all television and radio stations, local and metro newspapers, national newspapers, industry magazines, and any other form of media that reaches your target market. Don’t forgot to include relevant blogs, ezines, press release submission sites and to industry professionals.

More importantly than a perfect press release is to make sure you have addressed the needs of your target market in the products/services you offer and made that clear in the press release. If you are provided people a solution to a problem, a way to avoid a problem and an opportunity to enhance their life the media and public will be interested.

If you have a connection (or the ability to get a connection) with a celebrity, this can practically guarantee you’ll get attention. Make sure you are offered newsworthy information, and then follow up with media outlets to make sure they are publicizing that information.

“One of the most powerful techniques every business should use is free publicity. As the name implies, there is no cost, just the time and effort required to attract attention to your business.” Jay Abraham

Use Your Press Release Everywhere!

But you don’t have to stop at the press release. Now, you have a piece of content that you can repurpose. Content Repurposing is a good use of your content and also your time. So, take your press release and use it to create a video — an info graphic — a power point presentation….. Read the full Content Repurposing article HERE

Create your local press release distribution list and then use an online press release distribution service. (not all services are the same). Once you have written your press release you need to distribute it everywhere. Use your local media and then distribute it further out. You can use online services to distribute nationally. Press release citations will increase your traffic and your credibility. Both worthwhile endeavors. It is not just about getting your picture if the free local paper. While that is fun, and your kids will be impressed, you also want it to increase your business. The online distribution to hundreds of sites helps to accomplish this.

You can use press releases regularly. Probably as much as weekly, but for most that is a stretch. Create a press release calendar. There are many great ways to write a press release that will get noticed. Submitting two press releases per month can truly transform your business.

Need ideas on HOW to use PR in your business — Schedule a cup of tea with me: MEET WITH ME!!